Someone was going to die tonight. I could only hope it wasn’t me.

“Goodmorning Anastasia,” My maid offered, before handing me a glass of water and a tray of toast. “Thank you Clara. When has the King asked of my presence?” I asked.

“In one hour. His messenger said he wants to speak to you about the feast tonight, then about where you will sit at the cermony,” Clara explained, before turning away.

The grey streaks in her hair were growing lighter, and the wrinkles near her eyers were growing more prominent. The King was working her to death.

“Clara, do you mind going out to the castle garden and helping out with the other maids? Yesterday the king requested extra help to take care of the flowers. The courtyard must look it’s best for the ceremony tonight,” I lied. Really, I was just trying to make sure Clara didn’t overstimulate herself. Plus, she loved flowers.

She smiled, clearly sensing my lie, but still grateful for it. “No, I do not mind,” She answered, heading out the door.

Before closing it behind her, she looked back to me. “Thank you,” she whispered. I merely nodded, watching the door close behind her.

Me and Clara had never been friends exactly, as she was forced to take care of me daily with no complaint. But we understood eachother, even had good conversation every once in awhile. We both knew the world was harsh and cruel, and that it was better to help one-another than make another enemy.

Clara was one of the two people I could truly confide in throughout the kingdom. The other was an old, bitter lady named Esther. She had more sarcastic statements than any person should be able to hold.

So of course, I loved her.

Esther hated the King, her ex-brother in law. The King’s wife who had died was Esther’s sister. I wasn’t quite sure why Esther hated the King, I only assumed she believed it was the King’s fault for her sisters death. But how could the King be responsible? When he was so good and innocent?

I looked down to the bed, where my dress was laying. It was crimson red, with black lace lining the sides and giving intricate pattens across the skirt. I slipped it over my corset, smoothing it out before pulling on my lace gloves and black heels. Royalty and high court members were supposed to dress in black and red today, to represent the death of an era. Tonight, we would wear white, to represent the birth of a new one.

Almost an hour had gone by, so I made my way to the feasting hall, where the King was waiting.

“King Florian,” I greeted, bowing lightly before him. His eyes were tense with anxiety, probably for the day to come.

“My advisor,” He greeted, setting a hand on my shoulder. Over the years, the King had grown quite fond of me. More so than some of his own children.

“Tonight, the court and royal family will dine in the feasting hall. Then, we will go to the ceremony. My children will compete in an arena. I will choose the winner, who will become the next ruler, and will be crowned tomorrow. At the ceremony I wish for you to sit beside me in the stands,” He explained. I nodded in reply. “Yes, your majesty,” I said.

He gestured me away, so I headed back to my quarters to prepare for the night ahead.

*

Before I knew it, the long day was closing to an end. At the feast, I had sat with Esther and her nephew, and we spoke our predictions of who we thought would win.

“Griffin will win. I know he will,” Esther said, smiling to her nephew. I was constantly annoyed by Esther’s deep love for Griffin. He was my least favorite of the King’s children. In fact, I hated Griffin with such an intensity it burned me alive day and night. We had always been enemies, and we always would be.

“I believe it will be Ryder. He’s much better a swordsman,” I replied, glaring to Griffin beside me. He bared his teeth, ready to insult me, but Esther stopped him. “Why can’t you two get along for once? Please?” She asked bitterly. When neither of us replied, she stood up and left.

After the rest of the feast, where me and Griffin silently ate, it was time for the ceremony. King Florian led me into the stands beside him.

The ceremony was long and bloody, and the King was anxious with who would win the whole time.

The last two children left were Griffin and Ryder, but finally, Griffin struck his sword through his brother, and Ryder fell to the ground, coated in crimson.

Griffin had won.

“Congratulations, my son! You will be-“ The king called, but was interrupted by a silver dagger in his side.

It was mine.

He fell to the ground, shocked by my betrayal. “Why?”

“I lied. I was never a courtmember. As a child, you killed my family. So I came to kill you. Goodbye, king florian,” I said lastly.

And then it was crimson.